Food access vs food safety: The case of street food operation around Mexico Square, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

: Street foods are common in in Addis Ababa. The city administration considers the business as informal and illegal. However, street food operation creates significant self-employment opportunities. Moreover, it markedly contributes to the food security of low-income consumers and vendors. The food security status, food safety knowledge and practice of 160 stationary street food vendors were assessed around Mexico Square, Addis Ababa. A detailed site observation was made around vending sites. Household food insecurity experience and food safety KAP of vending households was assessed using close-ended standard questionnaires. Job-specific interviews were made on street food operation with key informants from among woreda officials and consumers. Quantitative data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and opinions of key informants were described. About 72% of the street food vendors were female. Over 90% were adolescents or young adults and 30% had more than three children. About 71% of the vendors were either moderately or severely food insecure. Vendors had good knowledge (81%), moderate attitude (74%) but very poor practice (14%) in food safety. Street food vending was the only source of affordable meals to low-income groups in the study area. Meals were served and consumed immediately after cooking minimizing food safety risks. As street food vending creates economic and physical access to the low-paid urban poor and is a livelihood to poor families, it may be useful to recognize its positive role in mitigating food insecurity. Government control on food safety compliance, allocation of vending zones, and giving training to street food vendors could improve safety of street foods.